On Saturday, Bertie and I will be heading down to Slapton Ley NNR, all ready for a workshop that teaches the basics of wildlife photography. I must say, I am really looking forward to this. It will be fun, but also informative. I am a bit of a beginner when it comes to photography, and it would be really great to learn how to use my camera for its primary purpose: bird photography!
Guided by local wildlife photographer Rowena Mynott, the workshop will consist of a circular walk around Slapton Ley, with tips on angles and opportunties. The event ties in with World Photography Day, which is of course this Saturday, and will aim to bring more young people into photography as a profession or a hobby. World Photography Day also highlights taking photos as a form of art, which I believe is important when it comes to this sort of thing.
Slapton Ley is a great place for birding, being a large lake separated from the sea by a road and a beach. It naturally captures many birds coming in off the sea such as gulls, terns, ducks, and maybe even a diver! We did see a Black-Throated Diver down there a few years ago, but there is no post on that. Ideas for the future, maybe?
But it is really cool down there, and there are some brilliant photo opportunities down there too! I got a few good shots last time we visited, but I think me not being overly familiar with my camera settings shone through them (take a look my account of that visit at https://theboveybirder.wordpress.com/2021/01/05/slapton-surprise/. It’ll be fun to go down there again, but this time with an expert guide and others who are looking to improve on their camera skills too!
So, overall, I am seriously looking forward to this workshop, and highly encourage anyone who reads this to give it a try. Photography, I mean. Honestly, its so easy to get into, and so rewarding for you and others too.
The Bovey Birder 